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Issue #2
Welcome to Locker Room Talk.
We believe that Equipment Managers are the backbone of every team. In our second official issue of Locker Room Talk, we’re honored to spotlight someone who has helped shape the profession itself — Melisande “Meli” Resendiz, a nearly 30-year veteran at Northwestern University, former President of the AEMA, proud Evanston native, and longtime champion for women in athletics.
🎖️ Equipment Manager of the Month
🛤️ Paving the Way
Inspired early in her career by Helen Sharpe, the founding mother of the Athletic Equipment Manager Association (AEMA), Meli was welcomed with open arms at her very first convention in 1990. Helen’s encouragement pushed Meli to get involved immediately. She left that convention as a division secretary and never looked back. Now nearly three decades later, Meli continues to serve on the AEMA education committee, still paying it forward.
“Helen taught me that service extends beyond just doing your job at school, it’s about making our professional organization better and lifting up the entire community.”
//🔑: Mentorship and inclusion fuel both industry and individual growth.
🫶 Serving Her Community
Born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, Meli’s connection to Northwestern runs deep. First as a resident, then as a student, finally as an EM for nearly 30 years. But her impact went far beyond the equipment room. She regularly participated in community outreach initiatives and took real pride in helping others learn about Evanston’s history. One memory that sticks with her is helping build a wheelchair ramp for a local family so the father could leave his house for the first time in years.
“I don’t just enjoy volunteering; I love educating our employees about Evanston’s rich history. I’m a proud Evanstonian, and I enjoy sharing that.”
That same spirit of generosity extended beyond community work and into her day-to-day interactions. When we first connected with Meli, she didn’t just take a meeting, she opened the doors. She invited us to tour Northwestern’s athletic facilities, walked us through the locker rooms, and openly shared the challenges her team was facing. She asked thoughtful questions, genuinely welcomed our input, and treated us like part of the process from the start. It was a small moment that left a big impression.
//🔑: Giving back strengthens your roots and inspires others to do the same.
🌱 The Next Generation
As someone who’s seen the equipment profession evolve firsthand, Meli knows the challenges, but also the potential. She believes this is a moment of incredible growth for the equipment field, especially for women looking to break in. More departments are recognizing the power of balanced, diverse staffs, and Meli wants future leaders to know they belong here.
“There absolutely is space for you, and we need your perspectives and talents to help our profession continue evolving.”
//🔑: Representation matters, and the door is open for those ready to walk through it.
💿 Favorite Locker Room Song
Meli prefers Rock — anything to keep her energized and focused.
🎗️ On behalf of Meli, we’re donating to a charity of her choice.
💭 Quote of the Month
“Leadership isn’t just what you do at your school — it’s what you do to lift up the entire community.” – Meli Resendiz
🤝 Networking Events
📢 Job Opportunities & Career Leads
TL;DR:
Meli Resendiz, longtime Northwestern EM and former AEMA President, shares how mentorship shaped her career, why community work matters just as much as gear, and her message for every woman thinking about joining the profession: you belong here.
